The Center for Smoking Cessation at Seton Health is funded by the New York State Department of Health. The Center works with healthcare providers in OtsegoCounty to provide tools to help address tobacco use with their patients and assist them in quitting by referring them to the New York State Smokers’ Quitline. The NYS Smokers’ Quitline is a free service to any NYS resident. Call 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487). The Quitline provides counseling over the phone and if you are eligible, offers 2-4 weeks of free nicotine replacement. This is a wonderful opportunity for residents of NY State to get assistance in quitting smoking. Talk to your physician about helping you quit tobacco and call the NYS Smokers’ Quitline

Smoking and Tobacco

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and affects the health of smokers in general. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones.

The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 438,000 deaths, or nearly 1 of every 5 deaths, each year in the United States. More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.

Make this the year you or someone close to you quits smoking.

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is a complex mixture of gases and particles that includes smoke from the burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe tip (sidestream smoke) and exhaled mainstream smoke.

Secondhand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 that can cause cancer.

There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposure can be dangerous.

Smokeless Tobacco

The two main types of smokeless tobacco in the United States are chewing tobacco and snuff. Chewing tobacco comes in the form of loose leaf, plug, or twist. Snuff is finely ground tobacco that can be dry, moist, or in sachets (tea bag-like pouches). Although some forms of snuff can be used by sniffing or inhaling into the nose, most smokeless tobacco users place the product in their cheek or between their gum and cheek. Users then suck on the tobacco and spit out the tobacco juices, which is why smokeless tobacco is often referred to as spit or spitting tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes.

Learn more about the harmful effects of smoking, smokeless tobacco, and secondhand smoke from the resources below and find out about resources that address prevention.